Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .338 RCM with .338 | 172gr | Sax KDG-S bullet and 76 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Hodgdon H322 and SNPE Vectan SP 10.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
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Max Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 84% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,897 psi | 88% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,403 psi | 86% | 2844 fps | 96% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 88% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2851 fps | 96.5% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,925 psi | 86% | 2831 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 2495ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,456 psi | 74% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2520ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,912 psi | 90% | 2913 fps | 99.6% |
| Accurate 4064ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,120 psi | 69% | 2730 fps | 98.9% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,317 psi | 87% | 2736 fps | 100% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 90% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2749 fps | 99.4% |
| ADI AR 2206Hᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,070 psi | 87% | 2871 fps | 97.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,563 psi | 87% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,069 psi | 85% | 2844 fps | 99.9% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 98.2% |
| Alliant AR-Compᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,723 psi | 88% | 2887 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2946 fps | 98% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 43,410 psi | 70% | 2720 fps | 95.9% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 94% | 55,448 psi | 89% | 2838 fps | 100% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 88% | 56,275 psi | 90% | 2785 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 90% | 52,939 psi | 85% | 2730 fps | 100% |
| Bofors RP3ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 42,931 psi | 69% | 2723 fps | 95.9% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,519 psi | 86% | 2789 fps | 98.6% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,259 psi | 89% | 2917 fps | 98.9% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 96% | 53,838 psi | 86% | 2946 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H322 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,708 psi | 88% | 2867 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 94% | 56,057 psi | 90% | 2890 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 86% | 52,982 psi | 85% | 2733 fps | 99.8% |
| Hodgdon H4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,360 psi | 87% | 2887 fps | 97.8% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolutionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,110 psi | 79% | 2848 fps | 97.2% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 33,083 psi | 53% | 1683 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGETᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,910 psi | 85% | 2838 fps | 97.4% |
| IMR 3031ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,011 psi | 83% | 2890 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,490 psi | 86% | 2762 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,173 psi | 90% | 2726 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,776 psi | 78% | 2825 fps | 96.2% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,824 psi | 86% | 2838 fps | 98.2% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 99.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 94% | 53,867 psi | 86% | 2835 fps | 98.9% |
| Lovex D073.6ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,576 psi | 83% | 2851 fps | 99.2% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 84% | 54,926 psi | 88% | 2674 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,506 psi | 89% | 2812 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex S062ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,673 psi | 75% | 2743 fps | 97.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 90% | 55,550 psi | 89% | 2815 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,562 psi | 84% | 2822 fps | 98.1% |
| Norma 202ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,591 psi | 84% | 2841 fps | 99.7% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,113 psi | 85% | 2864 fps | 96.9% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 96% | 56,260 psi | 90% | 2848 fps | 97.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 32,953 psi | 53% | 1722 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 84% | 56,391 psi | 90% | 2766 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 94% | 54,012 psi | 87% | 2841 fps | 99.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 41,843 psi | 67% | 2746 fps | 96.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 98% | 53,795 psi | 86% | 2825 fps | 99.6% |
| Rottweil R 902ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,748 psi | 80% | 2766 fps | 97.6% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,447 psi | 87% | 2848 fps | 99.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifleᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,576 psi | 83% | 2851 fps | 99.2% |
| Shooters World Precisionᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 46,673 psi | 75% | 2743 fps | 97.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 92% | 55,100 psi | 88% | 2812 fps | 98% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 55,317 psi | 89% | 2520 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | <<locked>> | 90% | 53,476 psi | 86% | 2848 fps | 99.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 92% | 53,258 psi | 85% | 2805 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 52,315 psi | 84% | 2838 fps | 96.7% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,318 psi | 90% | 2795 fps | 99.8% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 45,339 psi | 73% | 2644 fps | 99.4% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,419 psi | 89% | 2887 fps | 98.7% |
| Somchem S335ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 54,244 psi | 87% | 2789 fps | 99.9% |
| Somchem S341ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,274 psi | 89% | 2864 fps | 97.1% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 88% | 54,476 psi | 87% | 2717 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 96% | 55,840 psi | 90% | 2782 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N133ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 55,405 psi | 89% | 2789 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N135ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 47,442 psi | 76% | 2759 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N140ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 49,850 psi | 80% | 2769 fps | 99.6% |
| Vihtavuori N150ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 39,856 psi | 64% | 2608 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 98% | 54,737 psi | 88% | 2844 fps | 98.4% |
| Vihtavuori N540ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 48,327 psi | 77% | 2766 fps | 99.1% |
| Winchester 748ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 56,202 psi | 90% | 2936 fps | 99.2% |
| Winchester StaBALL Matchᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 51,634 psi | 83% | 2844 fps | 97.2% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 24"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accurate 1680 | <<locked>> | 80% | 47,065 psi | 75% | 2621 fps | 100% |
| Accurate 2015 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,299 psi | 50% | 2392 fps | 98% |
| Accurate 2200 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,299 psi | 81% | 2792 fps | 95.3% |
| Accurate 2230 | <<locked>> | 86% | 50,270 psi | 81% | 2799 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2460 | <<locked>> | 80% | 33,663 psi | 54% | 2467 fps | 95.8% |
| Accurate 2495 | <<locked>> | 80% | 23,960 psi | 38% | 2264 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 2520 | <<locked>> | 86% | 34,389 psi | 55% | 2536 fps | 95.6% |
| Accurate 4064 | <<locked>> | 88% | 29,399 psi | 47% | 2428 fps | 95.2% |
| Accurate LT-30 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,074 psi | 64% | 2500 fps | 98.8% |
| Accurate LT-32 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,451 psi | 65% | 2507 fps | 97.3% |
| ADI AR 2206H | <<locked>> | 94% | 44,918 psi | 72% | 2720 fps | 95.1% |
| ADI AR 2207 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,743 psi | 69% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| ADI AR 2219 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,782 psi | 61% | 2579 fps | 98.3% |
| ADI Benchmark 8208 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,421 psi | 63% | 2585 fps | 95% |
| Alliant AR-Comp | <<locked>> | 80% | 28,747 psi | 46% | 2408 fps | 99.3% |
| Alliant Power Pro 1200-R | 46.3 gr | 86% | 41,930 psi | 67% | 2720 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder- TS 15.5 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,857 psi | 66% | 2671 fps | 95.2% |
| Alliant Reloder-10x | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,114 psi | 58% | 2513 fps | 99.7% |
| Alliant Reloder-7 | <<locked>> | 80% | 43,976 psi | 71% | 2602 fps | 100% |
| Baschieri & Pellagri 106 | <<locked>> | 80% | 38,464 psi | 62% | 2490 fps | 98.7% |
| Bofors RP3 | <<locked>> | 98% | 40,074 psi | 64% | 2667 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon Benchmark | <<locked>> | 84% | 37,478 psi | 60% | 2497 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon BL-C2 | <<locked>> | 88% | 36,651 psi | 59% | 2589 fps | 95% |
| Hodgdon CFE223 | <<locked>> | 94% | 50,212 psi | 81% | 2884 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon H322 | 43.1 gr | 80% | 34,737 psi | 56% | 2510 fps | 97.5% |
| Hodgdon H335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 35,012 psi | 56% | 2520 fps | 96.5% |
| Hodgdon H4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,164 psi | 71% | 2592 fps | 99% |
| Hodgdon H4895 | <<locked>> | 92% | 42,322 psi | 68% | 2677 fps | 95.1% |
| Hodgdon LEVERevolution | <<locked>> | 96% | 43,004 psi | 69% | 2736 fps | 95.6% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,279 psi | 39% | 1503 fps | 100% |
| Hodgdon VARGET | <<locked>> | 94% | 43,888 psi | 70% | 2687 fps | 95.4% |
| IMR 3031 | <<locked>> | 80% | 27,543 psi | 44% | 2379 fps | 95.6% |
| IMR 4198 | <<locked>> | 80% | 37,637 psi | 60% | 2500 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4227 | <<locked>> | 80% | 50,082 psi | 80% | 2644 fps | 100% |
| IMR 4895 | <<locked>> | 98% | 45,745 psi | 73% | 2772 fps | 95.5% |
| IMR 8208 XBR | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,421 psi | 63% | 2585 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.4 | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,133 psi | 66% | 2628 fps | 97.3% |
| Lovex D073.5 | <<locked>> | 82% | 35,694 psi | 57% | 2510 fps | 95% |
| Lovex D073.6 | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,389 psi | 55% | 2536 fps | 95.6% |
| Lovex S053 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,095 psi | 79% | 2592 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S060 | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,572 psi | 75% | 2667 fps | 95.5% |
| Lovex S062 | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,914 psi | 62% | 2595 fps | 95.1% |
| Norma 200 | <<locked>> | 80% | 40,857 psi | 66% | 2585 fps | 100% |
| Norma 201 | <<locked>> | 92% | 41,104 psi | 66% | 2621 fps | 95.7% |
| Norma 202 | <<locked>> | 84% | 31,691 psi | 51% | 2441 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot Wild Boar | <<locked>> | 94% | 46,528 psi | 75% | 2753 fps | 95.4% |
| Ramshot X-Terminator | <<locked>> | 90% | 46,528 psi | 75% | 2690 fps | 95.2% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | <<locked>> | 80% | 24,323 psi | 39% | 1539 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 36 | <<locked>> | 80% | 49,879 psi | 80% | 2677 fps | 100% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 40 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,592 psi | 55% | 2480 fps | 95.1% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 60 | <<locked>> | 98% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2687 fps | 95.7% |
| Rottweil R 901 | <<locked>> | 80% | 31,633 psi | 51% | 2395 fps | 95% |
| Rottweil R 902 | <<locked>> | 94% | 41,220 psi | 66% | 2615 fps | 95.7% |
| Shooters World AR Plus | <<locked>> | 80% | 41,133 psi | 66% | 2628 fps | 97.3% |
| Shooters World Match Rifle | <<locked>> | 88% | 34,389 psi | 55% | 2536 fps | 95.6% |
| Shooters World Precision | <<locked>> | 94% | 38,914 psi | 62% | 2595 fps | 95.1% |
| Shooters World Tactical Rifle | <<locked>> | 84% | 41,916 psi | 67% | 2592 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan BA6 1/2 | <<locked>> | 80% | 44,991 psi | 72% | 2382 fps | 100% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 10 | 46.1 gr | 80% | 38,450 psi | 62% | 2585 fps | 97.4% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 3 | <<locked>> | 80% | 36,637 psi | 59% | 2516 fps | 98.7% |
| SNPE Vectan SP 9 | <<locked>> | 96% | 46,050 psi | 74% | 2733 fps | 95.3% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 3000 | <<locked>> | 82% | 32,271 psi | 52% | 2369 fps | 95.5% |
| SNPE Vectan Tubal 5000 | <<locked>> | 86% | 29,385 psi | 47% | 2316 fps | 95.6% |
| Somchem S321 | <<locked>> | 86% | 39,537 psi | 63% | 2612 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S335 | <<locked>> | 80% | 29,646 psi | 48% | 2323 fps | 95.5% |
| Somchem S341 | <<locked>> | 96% | 48,298 psi | 77% | 2756 fps | 95.7% |
| Vihtavuori N120 | <<locked>> | 80% | 42,859 psi | 69% | 2552 fps | 100% |
| Vihtavuori N130 | <<locked>> | 80% | 34,592 psi | 55% | 2428 fps | 99.3% |
| Vihtavuori N133 | <<locked>> | 80% | 30,081 psi | 48% | 2336 fps | 97.5% |
| Vihtavuori N135 | <<locked>> | 80% | 25,179 psi | 40% | 2280 fps | 95.9% |
| Vihtavuori N140 | <<locked>> | 84% | 30,124 psi | 48% | 2379 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N150 | <<locked>> | 98% | 37,304 psi | 60% | 2556 fps | 95% |
| Vihtavuori N530 | <<locked>> | 88% | 39,320 psi | 63% | 2579 fps | 95.1% |
| Vihtavuori N540 | <<locked>> | 88% | 32,866 psi | 53% | 2464 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester 748 | <<locked>> | 88% | 37,710 psi | 60% | 2608 fps | 95.6% |
| Winchester StaBALL Match | <<locked>> | 94% | 42,308 psi | 68% | 2684 fps | 95% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 76 powders for .338 RCM loaded with the .338 | 172gr | Sax KDG-S. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 2,946 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,683 fps to 2,946 fps. Accurate 2495 gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 76 of the 76 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (430 MPa), the top charges use 53–90 %, leaving at least 10 % headroom. The 172.0 gr projectile in 0.338" calls for a 1:14.5 twist; slower twists will usually not stabilise this weight. Accurate 2495, Accurate 2520, Accurate 4064 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Alliant Power Pro 1200-R, Hodgdon H322, SNPE Vectan SP 10 rank at the top here: for .338 RCM with the .338 | 172gr | Sax KDG-S they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.